“MEMBERS OF THE DI-MAGUID GROUP LAY DOWN WEAPONS”
CAMP LEONO, Tacurong City – Twenty-eight (28) members of the Dawlah Islamiya, Maguid Group (DI-Maguid Group) who surrendered through the efforts of the 5th Special Forces Battalion in collaboration with the 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion, were formally presented by BGen Andre B Santos PA, Commander of the 1st Mechanized Infantry (MAAASAHAN) Brigade to Governor Reynaldo S Tamayo Jr of South Cotabato on 28 November 2023 at the PDC Hall, Provincial Capitol of South Cotabato, Koronadal City.
As a background, the surrenderees started returning to the folds of the law last December 2022 through the convergence efforts of the local government unit of South Cotabato, security forces including PNP South Cotabato, and the family and relatives of the former violent extremists or FVEs. In addition, the loss of the group’s leader @Aliboy and the close coordination of various agencies of government led to their surrender and eventually, the realization of having a peaceful life in South Cotabato. In his short remarks, BGEN SANTOS thanked all the key personalities involved in the surrender.
The FVEs received immediate assistance from the Province of South Cotabato and will be enrolled in the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) under Executive Order 70 where they will undergo a deradicalization and integration process. After which, the province will assist them in accessing government services for free which will eventually help in improving their economic activity and living standards as stated by Governor Tamayo.
The comprehensive approach of the AFP, PNP, LGU, and other stakeholders paves the way for the expected influx of more surrenderees and is one step closer to the declaration of South Cotabato as insurgent and terrorist-free.